Regret, shame, sadness consumed Hanzo Hasashi as he sat on an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar room. He tried his best to keep his memories at bay, now was not the time to relive the terrible deeds he's committed in the past. From the orange, yellow, and pink hues that filled the sky he determined it was sunset. Having enough of being idle, he rose from his bed and looked around.
Sitting on a dresser was his clothing and weapons. Seeing them made his blood boil. They were a reminder of what he's done. Destroying them the first chance he gets came to mind. He wondered who removed his clothing and replaced them with the gray shirt and black pajama pants that covered him. On the nightstand that sat next to his desk was a glass of water. It was a generous offer and as he felt his mouth dry, he realized it was needed.
After he finished drinking the cool glass of water, he heard footsteps outside his door. Two voices soon followed, one masculine, the other feminine.
"He's should be awake now." Scorpion knew that was Kenshi Takahashi outside his door.
"He's been asleep for hours but he definitely needed some rest." The woman said.
"He was a wraith, manipulated by Quan Chi." Kenshi informed her.
"That's despicable," the woman began. Scorpion's stomach dropped when he heard her. There was disgust and anger in her voice.
'Of course she would think that. I cannot blame her. I have done deplorable acts in the past.'
"That bastard ruined so many lives and for what? Was it all some sort of game to him? No one deserved to go through what he and the others did. He already lost so much to begin with. I'd love to cut that low life's head off if I ever get the chance to."
Scorpion was taken aback when she finished her statement. He didn't expect anyone to sympathize with him.
"Hanzo needs an ally, friends. I managed to stop him from killing himself. I know he's capable of living a new and better life. I was also hoping you'd help me."
"I'm here aren't I? If you trust him, then I will too." She replied without skipping a beat.
"Thank you, Maya. I must warn you, this isn't going to be easy." Kenshi sighed.
"No problem. I'm sure you two are hungry. Dinner should be finished soon."
He heard her walk away and the door open. There stood Kenshi holding Sento and wearing similar clothing as him only his was red and black. Hanzo didn't know what to say. He was grateful for what Kenshi has done and now his help will continue. Then the same wave of shame he felt earlier returned. Here he was, a grown man who needed to be help like an infant because he can't help himself right now.
"Don't think of yourself that way, Hanzo. You're far from a helpless child." Kenshi approached him and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I forgot you could read minds." Hanzo grumbled.
"I'd like you to meet another friend of mine. As you already heard her name is Maya. I'd prefer it if you two properly meet and get to know each other on your own."
Nodding his head, Hanzo followed Kenshi out the bedroom. By the looks of the interior of the house, he knew they were in Japan. He recognized the tatami mats under his feet, panels on the walls, sliding doors that were open and gave him a view outside. Trees of various sizes surrounded the house along with a garden and lake. It's been years since he's been in his native country. The deep breath he took in calmed his nerves, something Kenshi noticed.
"We're in the Chūgoku region. Matsue to be exact." Kenshi informed him.
Hanzo's stomach growled when the smell of beef and vegetables entered his nose. He heard Kenshi chuckle at the sound of his rumbling stomach. It's been a while since he ate something, he couldn't stop his mouth from watering the closer he and Kenshi got to the low table and chairs. When he sat down he looked inside the large pot that was filled with chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and herbs. There was also a large bowl of rice sitting next to it, miso soup, and fish to choose from. His stomach growled even more after seeing and smelling the food in front of him.
When he looked up, he saw Maya in the kitchen preparing tea. By the looks of her, he knew she wasn't from Japan. Locks of her long brown hair were put into two strand twists that fell down to her back. Compared to the sun rays that entered the room her brown skin with orange-red undertones seemed to glow. She was wearing an over-sized black t-shirt and sweatpants. There was something odd about her to Hanzo. He turned to Kenshi to see if he would tell him but all he saw was a smirk on his friend's face.
"It took you long enough to wake up." Maya said while bringing drinks to the table and setting them down. She sat down in front of Kenshi and offered Hanzo a smile. Even though the former wraith narrowed his eyes at her she wasn't bothered by it.
"You two already know me. So why don't you two get to know each other. You should go first, Maya." Kenshi started while filling his bowls with rice and the stew she made.
"Hmm, let's see. Kenshi and I share some of the same abilities like telekinesis, heightened senses, and teleportation. I'm a little bit jealous that he knows telepathy." She rolled her eyes, causing Kenshi to laugh. "But I have more magical abilities that he doesn't." She said before happily eating the food and drinking the tea she prepared.
"You're a sorceress. A witch." The venom he spat didn't go unnoticed by Maya or Kenshi. She didn't flinch at his harsh words. Kenshi on the other hand cringed, he had a feeling Hanzo would react like this. Given his experience with magic he would have been surprised if he went along with being friends or civil with a sorceress.
"Well, since you put it that way, yes." She grumbled.
"You expect me to trust someone like her?" Hanzo directed at Kenshi. "They're all liars and deceivers. I wouldn't be surprised if she stabs you in the back now that she's gain your trust."
"Hanzo…" Kenshi warned but the scoff Maya let out told him it was too late.
"Damn, you really are an asshole. But you know what? I'm not gonna let you or your little attitude ruin this meal I spent hours cooking. You're more than welcome to eat, by the way. Trust me, I didn't lace it with poison." She leaned forward and looked him dead in the eye. "I like a more hands on approach when it comes to that." She winked and sat back. Kenshi silently ate his meal and hoped they didn't drag him into their argument.
Before Hanzo could send a scathing reply her way his stomach betrayed him. The large growl it made caused his face to turn red out of anger and embarrassment. The smug look she had on her face was maddening. She got the upper hand on him this time but he made note to get back at her.
"Would you like to continue what you were saying?" Kenshi carefully asked, earning a scornful look from his friend.
"Yes! So, like I was saying. It's obvious I'm not from here or have ancestors from Japan, you know being black and all." She chuckled. "My family is mainly from the wonderful and beautiful islands in the Caribbean."
"So why are you here?" Hanzo asked without an attitude. Maya wanted to say something about that but decided not to.
"I needed a break." Maya shrugged her shoulders after refilling her bowl with food. Her short and simple answer didn't sit well with Hanzo. He did believe her answer but knew there was much more to it.
He wasn't ashamed about the amount of food he ate. Maya and Kenshi weren't bothered by how much he ate and drank either. They carried on a conversation about something that didn't concern him but he listened anyway. A market and money was mentioned, so was travelling to another region in Japan. Before he knew it he was full, the table was cleared, and Maya returned to the kitchen to clean the dishes.
With nothing else to do, he took the time to walk around Maya's home and become familiar with his new surroundings. He wandered around the garden outside, looked through a bookcase, and flipped through some of the books. If Kenshi wanted to talk to him about something, he was more than happy to talk. Maya attempted to start a conversation with him but he kept his distance. After her third attempt she had enough and cornered him in the hall. Kenshi went to sleep hours ago so he was lucky enough to not be in the middle of their confrontation.
"Do you really think you're going to get away with being rude to me, in my home? Please remember that you're the guest and being just a little bit cordial and having a sliver of respect will take you a long way."
"I do not have to stay here." Hanzo tried to get away but collided with an invisible barrier in front of Maya. When he tried to walk away he collided with another barrier. He was surrounded by them and had no way to escape. He was more than annoyed at the fact that he literally didn't see it happen. He was good at reading others and knowing when they would strike but she was completely still.
'They're always using underhanded tricks to get what they want.'
"You don't have much of a choice but to stay here and you know I'm right. I'm being more than nice by agreeing to help you. All I'm asking you is to try and be nice. It's late and I'm tired, you can start by apologizing." She waited for him give him an apology but didn't receive it. "Whatever." Maya waved her hand and the barriers around him disappeared. He watched walk away and enter her room.
The following morning Hanzo was forced to swallow his pride and apologize. Maya was right and he was wrong. It was difficult for him to do so, apologizing equaled admitting he's made a mistake. There were grave consequences to the ones he's made in the past, if what Kenshi told him was true, he hoped he would not face one right now.
'The way I treated her yesterday was wrong.' He admitted. 'One second I appreciate her sympathy and in the next I attacked her for what she is. It was that damn word, magic. The catalyst for my past crimes used magic and tricks to make me his pawn. Kenshi in a way uses magic and yet I have no problem with him. After my actions last night I doubt she will even look, much less talk to me.'
He exited his room and walked to the kitchen. He expected to smell another delicious meal being made and hear the sound of knives cutting meats or vegetables on a wooden board, jars being opened and closed as each ingredient is added into a skillet. Hanzo wondered why he anticipated hearing those sounds. He's only been out of the pits of hell where the screams of tortured souls and molten lava surrounded him for a few days.
Disappointment washed over him when his senses weren't greeted with what he wanted. Instead he found Maya sitting at the table reading what appeared to be a document. Her hair was pulled up into a large bun, and she was wearing a robe.
"You really like sleeping, huh?" He didn't answer her question but glanced over at the stove.
"I'm hungry too, what are you making for breakfast? I already ate so you don't have to worry about me." She titled her and tapped the table waiting for an answer.
'Cooking is usually reserved for women.' He wanted to tell her. Possibly causing an argument so early in the morning and being trapped in the invisible barriers she created last night held him back. After rolling his eyes and taking in a deep breath, he began walking towards the stove. The barely audible laugh she let out made him stop mid stride. He returned his attention to her and narrowed his eyes.
"Relax and straighten your face. I wasn't being serious." She got up from her seat and walked to the fridge. "I don't want you to make my kitchen explode."
"I know how to make a meal." He replied before muttering something under his breath as he sat down at the table.
"Like I said, I was just playing." She rolled her eyes, Kenshi warned her he was a serious man but it wouldn't hurt him to lighten up once and a while. "You'll have plenty of time to make a gourmet meal for all of us to enjoy. You have other things to do today." After opening the fridge and scanning what was inside, Maya looked back and asked "Is there anything you want me to make?"
Unable to think of anything, Hanzo shook his head. Soon he heard and smelled what he expected and wanted earlier. He watched her sway from side to side as she cooked, it was impossible for him to not stare at her moving hips. The robe she wore wasn't very form fitting or revealing as the clothes Edenian and Outworld women wear, which surprisingly was a pleasant change.
In a matter of minutes she placed a plate of fried eggs, bacon, sausage links, and toast in front of him. He waited for her to bring up their argument last night when she stood in front of him. Her next question threw him off guard.
"What would you like to drink? Coffee, tea, orange juice, or a plain glass of water?"
"This isn't necessary." He told her. She wasn't expecting to see the dejected look on his face. The fact that she was acting like as if nothing was wrong, playing the role of a dutiful homemaker who will more than likely wait on him hand and foot brought back a few memories he would rather keep locked away. There wasn't a bubbling rage that threatened to come out, only sadness and grief.
"We leave in an hour. Eat as much as you can, you're going to need your strength today. We have a long day ahead of us." Maya said before leaving him alone. 'He needs his space. If I ask him what's wrong he'll either start yelling at me to get off his back or he'll shut down for the rest of the day and not talk at all. Kenshi did say this wasn't going to be easy.'